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City coat of arms comeback

CARLISLE’S historic coat of arms is poised to make a comeback, despite some concerns about the cost.

City councillors voted to demand a full report on reinstating the coat of arms or crest as their “only civic and corporate symbol”.

The crest, which dates from 1924 but is based on much older designs, has been largely superceded by a 1980s logo depicting the castle. It is this modern logo that appears on council letter heads and reports.

Conservative councillor Doreen Parsons put the case for the crest when the council met on Tuesday.

She said: “It’s a beautiful emblem of which we can all be justifiably proud. In a time when, more than ever, people are disengaged from politics, we need a symbol with which local people can identify.”

Mrs Parsons was backed by councillors of all parties. But fellow Tory John Mallinson was unconvinced. He said: “Far be it from me to pour cold water on this but there will be costs and they will be significant. It may be interpreted by the public as frivolous when, at a time of financial restraint, we spend money on this.”

The coat of arms is also used as the badge of Carlisle United and the city’s hockey club. It is still used by the mayor, and by the council on formal civic occasions.

The shield at the centre of the crest is believed to be the family coat of arms of an early sheriff of Carlisle.

The castle above the shield comes from a map of Carlisle drawn by the famous cartographer John Speed in 1610.